shop local :: handmade jewelry from exquistry

 jewelry is the perfect way to transform

any outfit--add a necklace, bracelet, 

earrings, broach, and/or rings to elevate the look of

your clothing. incorporate a statement necklace

and you instantly change your look. 

jewelry is a wonderful way to re-style

items in your closet and express your personality

by adding a unique 'pop.'

while i own a decent amount of 

jewelry, the majority is inexpensive, costume-

like jewelry that i could take or leave.

i have a few sentimental items and several

gifted pieces that i wear daily (including

a necklace passed down from my grandma,

charm bracelets from my mom, and a new

friendship ring from one of my girlfriends).

over the past few years, i have enjoyed finding

local designers that craft quality, handmade

jewelry that i can mix and match with 

other pieces in my closet.

disclosure: a special thank you to amisha, owner of exquistry jewelry for

providing me with the beautiful, handmade necklace in today's post.

i recently met amisha, designer and creator

of exquistry jewelry, online. amisha is

based in seattle, washington, and her sweet and

genuine personality radiate via email :) i hope

to someday meet amisha in person!

amisha is incredibly artistic and was

born into a family of creatives. she learned

to sew at a young age and began making jewelry in 2011.

 amisha feels most inspired by her indian heritage

(she was born in and spent most of her 

childhood in india) and vibrant colors.

she strives to combine fashion with color

and art, and i think this is prevalent within all

of her hand-crafted pieces.

 today i am styling exquistry's peach rose gold

swarovski pendant necklace. this bohemian-inspired 

necklace has hand-sewn beads and a light-weight clasp

for ease of wear (i often struggle with getting

clasped necklaces on and off--this clasp is great!).

because of amisha's passion for color,

i was inspired to pair my necklace with one

of my most colorful dresses. i think the two

work well together!

photos by jenn from hello rigby

dress: j.crew, jacket and heels: thrifted (via value village),

purse: halogen (thrifted via seattle goodwill), bracelet: nordstrom,

necklace: c/o exquistry jewelry (exact here)

happy friday, everyone! 

if you're looking to update your jewelry, 

i highly recommend visiting amisha's website.

she has several other necklaces and bracelets

that i am lusting after.

xoxo.

hello there!

hello again! remember me?

the girl who (in my most recent post)

promised to blog more consistently and

allegedly had a new website in the works?

i am still here! 

work, class, babysitting,

and a nasty cold have taken over (thank

goodness it wasn't the flu--many

of my friends and coworkers were

diagnosed with the flu. i feel so badly

for them, as this bout is seemingly terrible!).

unfortunately, blog posts and social media

have taken a backseat. as i get back in

my rhythm, i am eager to share new

content and eventually, my new website!

 

jacket envy; it is a real thing.

 i follow numerous fashion bloggers

on social media (both local and non-locals), and i

cannot help but feel envious towards all

the adorable fuzzy jackets. a teddy coat is still

on my wish list, and there are several other

winter styles i am lusting after. one of the trends

i had to partake in this season, however, is the 

velvet puffer. 

earlier this year, i saw my friend and 

fellow blogger, lisa, from story of my dress, 

wearing a purple velvet jacket. i was immediately

smitten! i have since seen many other stylish 

women wearing puffy velvet jackets with

skirts and denim, or styled over dresses. the 

options are seemingly endless.

for such a trendy item (that may or may

not be in style next season), i didn't want to 

spend a fortune. instead, i patiently waited for

cold weather pieces to go on sale. i found this navy 

 velvet puffer online at nordstrom rack for less

than $30! the dark color is versatile, and the 

coat is incredibly soft and warm.

whether paired with a graphic t-shirt or

more feminine top or blouse, this jacket will

be on major repeat in the coming weeks.

photos by karya schanilec photography

jeans: american eagle, t-shirt: old navy,

 shoes: vince (thrifted via seattle goodwill),

jacket: nordstrom rack (similar here and here;

velvet puffer vest version here), fringe purse: h&m,

rings: forever 21

do you have a velvet puffer in your closet?

what other winter styles are you eager

to try? my online shopping cart (aka wish list)

is ever-growing!

xoxo.

new year; new goals!

happy 2018, everyone!

in past years, i have greatly enjoyed

making (seemingly lavish) NYE plans, dressing

up, and ringing in the new year in high style.

this year, however, an oversized sweatshirt,

netflix, and gluten free pizza sounded far

more appealing. perhaps this is due to my

age? or a busy holiday season?

regardless, i skipped the fuss and kindly said,

'no, thank you,' to a few holiday party 

invites. while i didn't indulge in pizza,

i was seated on my couch at 12:00am and

could not have been happier!

how did you spend your NYE? i shall

live vicariously through you.

2017 was a busy, yet productive year:

i experienced a change (or two) in positions

at work, moved north of the city, visited

lake chelan and las vegas, enrolled in a certificate

program at the university of washington,

and spent a great deal of time with family and friends.

i also enjoyed sharing outfits, style tips,

and my daily adventures with you (here!).

in 2018, i look forward to continued

career development, completing 

the aforementioned certificate program, pursuing

a physically and emotionally healthy lifestyle,

and, of course, devoting a large chunk of my free 

time to creating new blog content. in fact, this blog is 

currently 'under construction' (re a new domain

and overall design). i am eager to share the 

details very soon!

additionally, i hope to continue 

experimenting with new (and old) fashion

trends; 70s inspired fashion, i am looking at you!
a coworker and dear friend of mine

has sworn off purchasing new items in 2018. 

i find this is an admirable endeavor, though 

i am not sure i possess enough self-discipline.

however, i will continue to purchase

clothing, shoes, and accessories second-hand,

as i have done in the past.

these boots were a thrifted find, and

i have been wearing them on repeat!

photos by karya schanilec photography

top and skirt: zara, purse: forever 21,

booties: paul green (thrifted via seattle goodwill),
 earrings: something silver

cheers to a new year!
do you typically set new goals or
outline new year's resolutions? i prefer goal-setting
and purchased a beautiful notebook to document these goals
(and to hold myself accountable).
xoxo.

winter wardrobe staple: the grey knit dress

and just like that, fall has come and gone, 

and now, christmas is behind us, too. 2017 seemingly flew

by; did it for you? our weather has taken a dramatic

turn in the pacific northwest (we experienced our first 

snowfall this past weekend), and i am eager to find cute (and warm)

ways to dress. confession: i keep an extra-large, plush blanket at 

my desk and can often be seen typing away on my 

computer while wrapped in said blanket. this girl is

always cold.

 ^^^ karya and i had way too much fun playing

with and perfecting these giant bell sleeves! ^^^

  

during the work week, i crave comfort

and ease when it comes to getting dressed. 

however, i also need (and want) to look

professional. a dress offers a simple solution:

one piece (plus shoes and accessories), and 

you are on your way.

a knit dress, such as this dress from

the who what wear collection at target,

is a budget-friendly, trendy piece. the charcoal 

grey makes it incredibly versatile, too. pair it

with turquoise, purple, emerald, or just about 

any other jewel tone for a colorful 'pop!'

i greatly enjoy anything and everything with

bell sleeves, and i hope this trend sticks around

come spring. speaking spring, too, i decided

to add color (and a pretty print) to this otherwise

neutral look with a vintage-inspired scarf.

not a fan of wearing scarves? instead, tie the scarf

in your hair or onto the strap of your handbag.

photos by karya schanilec photography

dress: who what wear (via target, exact here),

purse: gifted, boots: paul green (thrifted via goodwill),

scarf: target, ring: lucky brand

a knit dress is wardrobe staple for everyone

this winter. wear it with tights, leggings,

flats, boots, etc. the options are seemingly 

endless. it looks stylish and professional, but doesn't

feel restrictive like other dresses often do.

i am lusting after this, this, and this dress.

(my exact dress is still available at target and

retails for less than $40).

what are some of your winter staples?

in addition to the knit dress, i cannot get

enough of my leather jacket and faux fur vests!

xoxo.

athliesure workout wear for the holidays

christmas is four days away!

only four days? how did it arrive so quickly?

i have to admit, this week, i am scrambling to 

finish last minute shopping, errands, and gift 

wrapping. are you caught up? if so, 

please tell a girl your secret.

disclosure: brooks running graciously provided me the top, jacket, shoes, gloves, and headband 

photographed in this post. as per usual, all opinions are my own! and thank you again,

brooks running!

whether you're heading to the gym,

out to coffee with girlfriends, or catching up on

last minute holiday errands (like visiting the 

christmas-tree farm), brooks running has you covered.

from your jacket to your sports bra and shoes,

brooks offers high quality, yet reasonably priced 

athletic wear for men and women. they're 

local to washington, too!

i have lived in my revel road running shoes

for the past several months. they're comfortable,

supportive, and stylish! i love the chic, 

black and white fabric; they seemingly match

all of my workout wear. priced at $100,

the revel show is perfect for my fellow runners

(and fashionistas) on a budget.

don't let cold weather interfere with your

active lifestyle! here in the pacific northwest,

layers are your friend. a down vest, headband, 

and tech-friendly gloves are the perfect accompaniments

to any workout. psa: my greenlight gloves have a

small magnet at the base of the wrist, allowing

me to attach them to one another after a workout

(no more wondering, 'where on earth did the 

other glove go?').

photos by jenn from hello rigby

jacket: canopy jacket c/o brooks (exact here),

tights: zella, t-shirt: c/o brooks,

shoes: revel running shoe c/o brooks (exact here),

headband: c/o brooks (exact here),

gloves: c/o brooks (exact here),

purse: borrowed from my mom

i often find myself missing workouts

during the holiday season. a hectic calendar, 

chilly weather, and frequent invitations to

happy hours and holiday parties make the gym

a lackluster priority. however, keeping active 

(even if it means walking laps around the mall 

while window shopping) is important to my physical 

and emotional health and wellness.

versatile clothing, such as my canopy jacket

and workout tights, allow me to easily 

transition from one activity to the next. i 

can no longer blame a 'lack of workout gear' on 

missed gym dates. in 2018, i am determined to keep up 

with my active lifestyle.

how do you stay motivated and healthy

during the holiday season? let me know in

the comments, and happy holidays!

xoxo.

holiday party ready (on a budget)

holiday party season has arrived.

every invite is seemingly accompanied

by an ever-growing price tag and shopping list.

whether you're attending a black-tie dinner or ugly 

sweater gathering, purchasing a different

outfit for each event is expensive.

if you're like me, wearing the same blouse

or dress to multiple parties sounds less than

ideal. how can you dress (and shop) 

during the holiday season while adhering

to your budget?

i have put together a few simple tips!

disclosure: a special thank you to value village for graciously providing

me with the gift certificate used to purchase items featured in this post. as per usual,

all opinions are my own!

mix and match!

your statement clutch or faux fur vest

can be paired with a variety of skirt, 

pant, or dress options. a black vest, for example,

can be worn with a sweater and pants (as i did

in today's post), or over your favorite

long-sleeved dress.

thrift, thrift, thrift!

shopping at department stores

and local boutiques is greatly enjoyable,

but often comes at a cost (a high cost, too).

thrifting is a wonderful and budget-friendly 

alternative. grab your girlfriends and hit

your local value village.

wear a non-traditional piece!

your black ruffle shorts, metallic skirt,

or office pants? not items that necessarily

denote 'holiday party.' however, 

these non-traditional pieces can be styled

in a way that looks and feels festive.

pair longer, ruffle (or printed) shorts with

a dressy blouse, or wear opaque tights

and a sweater with your metallic skirt.

you can also easily dress up (and make festive)

your work essentials, such as black

pants. add heels, a scarf or necktie, and

faux fur vest to instantly make your

pants look glam.

take advantage of holiday sales

(and don't be afraid to scour the clearance rack)!

if thrift shopping is not your favorite

(don't be afraid to try!), check the sale rack at

your favorite stores. seasonal tops, dresses, and shoes

are typically on sale, and many 

retailers will continue to mark down prices.

now may be the perfect time to purchase

classic, staple items (such as black 

heels or a faux leather jacket) at a reduced cost.

my outfit breakdown:

sweater (topshop thrifted) -- $10

faux fur vest (old, macy's) -- $40

pants (zara) -- $29

ring (thrifted) -- $2

heels (karen kane thrifted) -- $8

purse (target thrifted) -- $6

total -- $113 (the average dress costs

between $100-300 at most department stores)

photos by karya schanilec photography

is your calendar also filling up with

parties and other holiday-related events?

i love this time of year and enjoy

keeping busy. it's time to put together more

festive outfits #merrythriftmas

xoxo.

flashback: fall favorites

is anyone else trying to figure

out where 2017 went? how is it already

december? the holidays are upon us, and i feel

like we just celebrated the fourth of july!

i am ready to embrace december (and celebrate

the end of a great year) with all things festive:

a trip to westlake center, visiting snowflake lane,

sipping a peppermint mocha, decorating

my apartment, listening to christmas music, etc. etc. 

and with the holidays fast approaching,

i realized i am a bit behind with posts on this 

little blog #thestruggleisreal

i also have yet to begin christmas shopping,

but we will save that for a later post.

i wore this outfit a few months back,

before it was too chilly to wear a skirt sans tights.

however, i think tights and a cozy cream

jacket could easily be added to make this

look more 'weather-appropriate.'

my denim skirt was a spontaneous purchase

earlier this fall, and i have already worn

it countless times! it is a classic piece, 

and the medium wash seemingly matches

all of my blouses and sweaters.

are you ready for the holidays?

we decorated our tree last weekend, and

my company's christmas party is next weekend.

i cannot wait to celebrate. i am also

looking forward to visiting family, 

driving around the city to see christmas lights,

and of course, enjoying far too many delicious

christmas goodies!

^^^ these leopard-print booties are comfortable

and fun to style! ^^^

photos by karya schanilec photography

skirt: flirt boutique (located in pullman, wa),

sweater: urban outfitters (exact here), clutch: forever 21,
booties: thrifted via buffalo exchange,
bracelets and ring: target

happy monday, everyone!
i hope you have a wonderful week :)
xoxo.

and this year, i am especially thankful

the holiday season is in full swing!

it feels like there is a gathering, brunch, or

commitment of some sort every weekend from

now through the new year (just in case

you missed it, i recently shared a few ways in 

which i practice self-care during the busy holiday 

season on my blog here).

 don't get me wrong, i enjoy keeping busy. 

during this time, however, i find it particularly 

important to take a step back and reflect on the many 

blessings in my life: my family, friends,

a loving boyfriend, a job that keeps me 

busy, yet challenges me, and most recently, 

the opportunity to return to school (to name a few).

i must admit, clothes, shoes, and

jewelry also hold a special place in my heart

(as does a well-organized closet), but i digress.

i am grateful for cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice

creamer (the dairy-free version), rain-free fall days

(the colors on the trees in seattle during this time are

out of this world), and so much more!

of course, blogging also makes me

very happy, and for that, i am thankful.

i have been creating content for diary of this girl

for six years. this little blog has come

a long way, and i am eager to continue writing,

creating new outfits and style tips, and of

course, sharing my everyday happenings with you.

thank you for coming back!

we were fortunate to spend the thanksgiving

holiday with my aunt and uncle, cousins,

grandma, and our adorable pups. i ate far

too much stuffing and chocolate pie, but that's okay.

how did you celebrate? is anyone else

craving more stuffing and green bean casserole?

photos by brittany from coco & blush

dress: madewell (via crossroads),

sweater, bag, and boots: borrowed from coco & blush,

ring: lucky brand

while i didn't wear this outfit for 

thanksgiving dinner, i think it would have been a 

great option. pair it with a sweater or

cozy jacket! i had every intention of dressing up,

but instead opted for jeans and a loose-fitting blouse

(a girl's gotta have room for dessert).

as the weather continues to cool off, however,

i plan to style this plaid dress with dark

tights or layer a turtleneck underneath;

the options are seemingly endless!

i hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving.

and again, i am thankful for you!

xoxo.